Writing Contests, Grants & Awards

The Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database includes details about the creative writing contests—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, and more—that we’ve published in Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it. Ours is the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.

A prize of $1,500, publication by Kore Press, and 20 author copies is given annually for a debut poetry collection by a female-identified poet. Poets who have not published a full-length collection or a...

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Tupelo Press is given annually for a poetry collection by an Asian American poet. The board members of Kundiman and Tupelo Press will judge. Submit a manuscript of 50...

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Elixir Press is given annually for a first or second poetry collection. Nicholas Samaras will judge. Submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages with a $30 entry fee by...

A prize of $1,150 and publication by Leapfrog Press is given annually for a short story collection, a novel, or a novella. Mark Brazaitis and the editors will judge. Submit via e-mail a manuscript of at...